Help Children with Disabilities – Keep $600 Million Investment for Special Education in Budget Governor Evers is proposing a 60% reimbursement rate for special education funding in his budget, up from the current 24.5%. This would invest $600 million state dollars into special education, reducing pressure on local districts that are currently providing most of the funding. Some legislative leaders do not believe this investment is necessary. Please take this very short survey and…
News
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DHS Awards Grant to Fund New Peer-Run Respite for Veterans
The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has awarded Mental Health America of Wisconsin a grant to develop and manage the nation’s first peer-run respite home for veterans experiencing distress related to mental health and substance use challenges. The grant requires this peer-run respite to be located in the Milwaukee area, but its services will be available to veterans who live anywhere in the state. It’s a $307,668 start-up grant through June, with annual renewals…
Successful Lawsuit Invalidating Extraordinary Session Laws
Disability Rights Wisconsin was pleased with the ruling of the Dane County Circuit Court today which struck down the entirety of the “extraordinary session” as unconstitutional. As part of this ‘extraordinary session’ provisions were adopted that made dramatic changes to Wisconsin’s Medicaid program. Those changes put Wisconsinites with disabilities at risk and undermine DRW’s ability to effectively carry out its federally designated protection and advocacy functions as well as have wide-reaching negative effects on Wisconsin…
DRW Supports AB20 – language changes for ppl w intellectual DBs
Disability Rights Wisconsin submitted testimony in support of AB 20 which would make terminology changes for those with an intellectual disability in administrative rules. DRW thanks Representative Jagler and Senator Fitzgerald for advancing this change. We also want to recognize and thank the many self advocates with intellectual disabilities who have helped to educate us about the importance of respectful language.
DRW Asks Wisconsin Election Commission to Take Action
Voting is an important civil right. Today, DRW’s Barbara Beckert and other disability advocates asked the Wisconsin Election Commission (WEC) to act to protect the rights of voters with disabilities by supporting legislative changes to the requirement for Wisconsin voters to state their name and address to receive a ballot. Some voters cannot state their name and address due to disability or medical condition; Wisconsin law does not require a disability related accommodation for these…
DRW Supports Improved Access to State Issued Voter ID
DRW is a lead partner in the WI Disability Vote Coalition, which announced its support for the new Executive Order announced by Gov. Evers to increase accessibility to Department of Motor Vehicles offices so more people can get a state ID so they can vote. This is a positive step to ensure that all Wisconsin citizens have an equal opportunity to exercise their right to vote. Click here to read more. below.
Winter Makes Getting Around Hard For People With Disabilities
The winter weather is hard on most people, but when that snow and ice are not removed from public walkways in a timely manner, it can make getting around for people with disabilities even more difficult, sometimes verging on impossible. WUWM interviewed DRW’s Bill Crowley.
DRW Applauds Positive Budget Items for People with Disabilities
Disability Rights Wisconsin is encouraged by the comprehensive initiatives for people with disabilities in Governor Evers’ 2019-2021 Biennial Budget Proposal. “The Governor’s budget shows a strong commitment to people with disabilities,” stated Lea Kitz, Executive Director. “Governor Evers and Lieutenant Governor Barnes listened to people with disabilities and their families around the state and included many recommendations to enhance their lives by providing better education, supports and services, transportation, and medical and mental health care.”…
State of the Budget Address Tonight
Governor Evers will give his State of the Budget address tonight at 7 PM. You can watch the budget address on WisconsinEye. DRW is developing our analysis of the impact of the budget on Wisconsinites with disabilities. We will provide budget briefings at a number of locations around the state, with our partners the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities and The Arc Wisconsin.
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